Returning Army paddlers top Cobra regatta final leg

Philippine Army returned to the Cobra Energy Drink Dragon Boat Regatta with a flourish last weekend, handily winning the Open 300-meter standard boat race in the fourth and final leg of the series held in the waters off the Baywalk in Manila Bay.

The Army paddlers, who missed the third leg last September as they were engaged in rescue-and-relief work, made their move in the last 50 meters to win the event organized by the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation in one minute and 7.55 seconds.

Philippine Navy settled for second place with a time of 1:11.70) while Dragons Republic finished third in 1:12.38.

“We are glad to return and win the final leg,” said team captain Sgt. Usman Anterola, of the squad that swept all three Open competitions this year.

Anterola said 15 members of their team were part of the Cobra-PDBF squad that won two gold, one silver and one bronze medals in the IDBF World Cup in China last June.

The women’s 300m small boat contest saw Navy top the event in 1:34.83, ahead of Blue Phoenix (1:35.86) and Onslaught (1:36.12).

Philippine Coast Guard ruled the mixed 300m standard race in 1:13.38, slipping past Navy (1:13.61) and Alab Sagwan (1:14.52).

Onslaught Racing Dragons pooled 560 points to nail the Open overall title, Triton A tallied 320 to bag the Women’s crown, while Triton A secured the Mixed plum with 530.